How to do passive exercises for high muscle tension

In addition to regular treatment for high muscle tone, we must emphasize care in daily life and do some rehabilitation training. For example, passive exercises for high muscle tone are a better method. This method can exercise the child's coordination ability and help alleviate the baby's symptoms. We know that there are many reasons for high muscle tone. As parents, we must be vigilant and discover them in time.

How to do passive exercises for high muscle tension

Muscle tone refers to the tension of muscles when they are at rest and relaxed. High muscle tone is generally manifested as inflexible and stiff limbs, tight muscles, and abnormal postures. In particular, premature babies are often more likely to have muscle tension than normal babies.

High muscle tone is very harmful to babies. The main effects include irritability, easy to be frightened, constant crying, difficulty sleeping, inconvenience in dressing, difficulty in separating legs, and the legs being in a clenched fist state that is difficult to separate.

If a baby has high muscle tone, timely treatment is necessary, preferably within one year old. Recovery is faster during this period. If no active treatment is taken or treatment is given after one year old, the baby is at risk of cerebral palsy.

What should I do if my baby doesn’t cooperate with passive exercises?

Some mothers worry when doing passive exercises for their babies. The babies do not cooperate at all and are always resisting, and they dare not use force for fear of hurting them. Don't force her to do this, as that will be counterproductive. When the baby is happy, do this one or two times and tease her, she will think her mother is teasing her. Instead of forcing her to do this, she will slowly accept it. In addition, don't do it after the baby has finished feeding, as this will make it easy for the baby to spit up the milk. Just do it one hour after feeding.

Abnormal muscle tone test

When testing muscle tone, the muscle hardness is palpated and passive movements are performed to feel the muscle tension and resistance.

Increased muscle tone is more common in upper motor neuron damage and extrapyramidal lesions (i.e. involuntary movements and changes in muscle tone that cannot be controlled by human consciousness), but please note that normal infants under six months old may also have slightly increased muscle tone.

In lower motor neuron or muscle diseases, examination may reveal decreased muscle tone, loose muscles, and even hyperextension of the joints.